## Why Non-Alcoholic Wine Still Contains Alcohol Non-alcoholic wine is made from regular wine, which typically contains about 12–15% alcohol. Ethanol is then removed or its concentration significantly reduced using special technologies. These include vacuum distillation, reverse osmosis, and other processing methods. As a result, the alcohol content in the finished drink becomes minimal; however, it is not always possible to completely eliminate ethanol. In some non-alcoholic wines, its content can reach up to 0.5%. To achieve a significant concentration of alcohol in the blood solely from such a drink, one would indeed need to consume a large quantity. At the same time, the outcome depends on many factors, including body weight, gender, health condition, and individual metabolic characteristics. However, alcohol content is not the only factor that drivers should consider. ## Why It’s Better Not to Rush to Drive After Such a Drink Addiction specialist Andrey Sergeev points out at least two features of non-alcoholic wine. First, the drink may retain a characteristic smell that those around may perceive as the smell of alcohol. This could lead to additional questions from an inspector. Second, the doctor speaks about the possible so-called psychosomatic intoxication. Unlike regular alcohol intoxication, it is, according to his explanation, not related to the influence of a significant amount of ethanol, but rather to a person's reaction to the familiar taste, smell, and the very ritual of consuming alcohol. According to the specialist, such a reaction may be accompanied by changes in behavior: a person becomes more talkative, gestures actively, and in some cases may subjectively feel a state reminiscent of intoxication. For drivers, especially important are not the sensations themselves, but the possible decrease in attention and deterioration in coordination. Therefore, even if the drink formally belongs to non-alcoholic beverages, getting behind the wheel immediately after consuming it is not the best idea. ## What’s the Conclusion Non-alcoholic wine should not be automatically perceived as a drink after which one can get behind the wheel without any reservations. It may contain a small amount of ethanol, and individual reactions to the drink can vary. If after consuming non-alcoholic wine you feel drowsy, relaxed, dizzy, or notice changes in concentration and coordination, it is better to refrain from driving. The safest option for a driver is to avoid even non-alcoholic alcoholic beverages right before a trip.
